The next day came, and with it, the ball hosted by Valor.
As expected of a Great Clan, the ball would take place in a mansion, despite this, the residence seemed more like a hybrid between an embassy and a military fortress, so large it could be considered a territory of its own… A reflection of their competitor, Clan Song, who had similar, if not identical philosophy in their buildings.
Located right in the heart of a major city in the Waking World, it would be the place where Changing Star of the Immortal Flame would join Clan Valor, even though she didn't want to. But then again, few knew of that detail.
The mansion was now being flooded by important figures of humanity. A social gathering for the elite of the waking world and Dream Realm: politicians, legacy clans, and powerful Awakened, all here to brag about their achievements, secure alliances, and play dangerous political games.
All with the objective to climb higher, to become more powerful. But most of all, be the first ones to witness the Changing Star in all her glory as a Master, mere months after leading the Dreamer Army and Awakening, she had Ascended.
Now, she would officially become a Princess of Valor, adopted by one of her father's closest companions, the King of Swords would now shelter the Changing Star.
An important event, an opportunity for many Legacies, many wished to gain her favor. Some scions of the lesser Clans of Valor even saw it as a way to gain her grace… Or even her hand, not caring whether she was really dating Hollow Death of Song, some only wanted to be the one to conquer the Last Daughter of the Immortal Flame.
After all, Changing Star had chosen to join Valor instead of Song, it was the only evidence they needed to believe they had a chance. The delusional Legacy scions saw a possibility, even if remote, to gain the Changing Star…
The few didn't even care if she still cared for Sunless of Song or not, simply believing they could court Nephis of the Immortal Flame, make her abandon the Prince if she still did.
If you'd ask the blind seer, their desire blinds logic… But who was she? Dead weight carried by two of the most powerful Legacies.
Deep into the night, a midnight black PTV similar to a limousine traveled through the streets without hurry, its destination was the residence where the ball would take place.
Once it arrived at the entrance of Valor's land, it was almost as if a new law was issued to the security, tension came over them as they began shaking.
Almost immediately, the PTV was cleared to enter by the guards, and as it traveled deeper into the soil owned by Valor, reaching the entrance of the grand mansion, it made the other guests stare in surprise.
That was because of the symbol embedded on the small banner suspended on the PTV… A crescent moon wrapped around by a snake. Song's banner.
It reached the literal red carpet made for the high profile elites, Masters, Saints and the most important figures, the hall itself featuring sprawling grand architecture, towering ceilings, and polished surfaces, all surrounded by a grand garden where trees resided.
Once it stopped, the back doors opened, and three figures came out of it. Their appearance made all visitors widen their gazes, with paparazzi there to record the event immediately snapping towards them.
One was a beautiful mature woman, the most beautiful and attractive Transcendent out of all of the Dream Realm. Black-raven hair cascading, with midnight eyes contrasting her red scarlet lips that curved into a sensual smile and silky body that fitted into her one piece dress that covered her front side and exposed her back. Black gloves and a white fur coat complemented everything in harmony.
Eunbin Song.--
The other figure was also a woman, an exotic beauty with grey skin, and crimson eyes with long black hair, dressed in an elegant dark-burgundy dark red gown with intricate lace sleeves. Her stoic beauty and blood-red accents give her a mysterious, vampiric presence amid the hall.
Seishan Song.--
Finally, the last one was a pale man with perfect skin wearing all black. His raven-black hair dark as the darkness itself and eerie hollow eyes that reflected nothing but an endless well of shadows. His suit was sleek, all-black military-inspired ensemble, featuring a high-collared fitted coat with silver buttons, layered panels, and an asymmetrical cut. Ornate silver chains and metal embellishments all around, complemented by black leather gloves, and a long, flowing dark coat.
Sunless Song.--
The three children of Song walked towards the entrance of the mansion, ignoring all the stares of the arriving guests and guards. Some were in awe, some in respect, many with lust, others… Were in animosity.
As they arrived, so did the other guests aligned with Song, who were here more to make sure nothing extreme happened in the celebration, including the Saint of Sorrow and the sword of the moon, Frostblade.
The three siblings walked up the stairs as if nothing was happening, as if the subtle tension in the air with their arrival was nothing more than just another regular day.
Sunny sighed.
"I still hate these balls…"
Seishan chuckled as they reached the top of the stairs.
"It's the third time you said that."
"Maybe I would stop saying it if you girls stop trying to put me in a dress every time they happen!"
Eunbin smiled widely behind him.
"And lose the best comedy of the year? Not a chance! Someday I will put you in a dress, take some pictures, and then, I'll show them to Changing Star!"
Sunny squinted his eyes, slowly turning Beastmaster.
"I'll show Kira the list of flings you had."
Eunbin rolled her eyes.
"Everyone knows–"
"The real list. Including the names and the ones Silent sent to the Shadow Realm."
The enchantress froze, blinking repeatedly, she began walking to the entrance.
Sunny smiled, satisfied by his win, but he couldn't savor it, his hand was grabbed, and he was pulled by a serious Seishan.
"Enough arguing, remember to be cordial and don't make a scene."
Sunny sighed again, annoyed. But his face steeled, and the mask of the Prince of Song was put on, his voice became calm and composed.
"Very well then."
The three siblings entered the mansion, their mere presence was already turning heads, all knew they had arrived without even needing an announcement, they were Song after all.
Entering the opulent grand hall meticulously designed to showcase the ultimate wealth, power, and prestige of the Great Clan Valor, they were met once again with different kinds of stares, the same ones, awe, respect, lust, animosity, but Sunny felt one more kind, jealousy.
He sharpened his eyes and immediately did something he should have done the second he entered the mansion's grounds: he scattered his shadows.
Keeping Gloomy as his normal shadow, all the other five ran through the great residence.
As expected, among the people, there were many members of lesser Clans, Vassals of Valor or retainers of the Great Clan, most of the hateful glares were coming from them, but also, the ones full of jealousy also came from them, all from boys.
Although there were also others of the elite, politicians, some mundane people also glaring at him, most of them were in respect.
There were also gazes full of lust, women, not even trying to hide their intentions.
But the ones that really irritated him were the ones lusting after his sisters or glaring at them. It really made him angry, but he had to ignore it all, he merely followed Seishan and kept his shadows patrolling around, searching, and even infiltrating.
Despite the amount of people, the hall was grand enough to make it seem like there weren't enough people, still having empty spaces. Rows of tables and seats were put on the corners of the hall, letting the guests rest.
Seishan decided to sit in a relatively isolated place, not too close to the center, but close enough to see the entire hall, including the enormous stairs on the back, where the Valor family would make the announcement.
Sunny didn't really mind, neither did Eunbin, today would be a turbulent day…
The Saint of Sorrow and Frostblade also arrived, the tall man with tan skin wearing a modern tuxedo decided to sit on the table next to the siblings. The white haired beauty wearing a sleeveless white dress and navy blue gloves did the same, her expression never changing as she sat on the other table.
Seishan gracefully sat down, after asking for a few drinks, she leaned on the table.
"Well, shall we start?"
Sunny nodded.
"Already did."
Eunbin hummed accordingly.
"Same here."
For next several minutes, Sunny scouted and listened, while Eunbin looked around and influenced whoever she could, enthralling a few weak willed.
Sunny's objective was to learn any useful information about Valor's inner workings, while Eunbin subtly enthralled a few of their members.
Valor was expecting Beastmaster's insidious power, so they made preparations, charms with mind defences and extreme self-control to not look at her. But that would only save the ones who could afford such Memories or self-control.
The weaker ones were slowly enchanted, they would eventually serve her without question. And of course, she would make sure no one noticed her newly acquired thralls.
Sunny meanwhile heard the conversations and sneaked into the deeper parts of the mansion with his shadows, he discovered some things… Just not in the beginning.
He mostly heard gossip about Nephis and himself, distasteful gossip, owned by the scions of the Vassals Clans.
One circle was clear of their dislike of him.
"I heard Changing Star abandoned the Queen's spawn."
"So I heard. As expected, I never saw what's so special about that guy."
"Exactly, he 'protected her from the shadows?' Hmp, more like he let her do everything and took the rest of the glory."
"He's just some guy carried by Song's Echoes. I heard he got five of them to the Forgotten Shore, what a weak coward."
"What did you expect? He is a Song, the Queen of Worms is the same. I bet I can humiliate him easily with my sword."
Sunny scoffed.
'You know nothing. Just a bunch of arrogant fools trying to bloat while being jealous of my achievements.'
Another badmouthed his sisters.
"What are they even doing here? The enchantress shouldn't even be here, if a fool ends up in her spell…"
"Ignore them, these witches are nothing but pretty faces, the inside is rotten."
"Of course, didn't you know? The grey skinned one's Aspect transforms her into a horrible creature, I guess it just shows what she really is."
"A bloodlusted monster. Valor on the other hand is honorable, we don't need petty tricks like them."
Sunny gripped his hands tightly.
'Say that to Rain…'
There were, of course, those filled with lust.
"What would I do to have her…"
"If only she was mine. Then I would be fulfilled."
"If only they weren't from the witch."
Even the women were eyeing him.
"Such a pretty boy…"
"He will be mine… Eventually…"
"Forget Clans or that bitch, only I can be with him."
Sunny scoffed.
'I'll kill you just for thinking that.'
Sunny pinched the bridge of his nose.
'I forget how much people find us attractive. Too much attractive.'
Others were clear of their intentions with Nephis.
"Today she will be mine."
"You say it like its destiny."
"It is, so what the foolish spawn of the Queen is with her? As soon as she talks with me she will know I'm worthy."
"That's quite arrogant."
"It's the truth, fate, if you will, who is this 'Sunless'? Just an outskirts rat that got lucky to be chosen. I am a pure-blooded Legacy, he is nothing. Changing Star will be mine…"
Sunny's eyes became more hollow, a possessive feeling came over him, anger.
'She's not your prize, she will never even look at you. She's not yours, she is…'
Sunny sighed.
'She… Can she really be with me…?'
He shook his head and focused on his shadows.
Thankfully, he also heard some Firekeepers in the mix, they tempered his ears to keep going.
"I hope Lady Nephis didn't fall out with Lord Sunless, I wonder what happened."
"It is certainly something to do with her going to Valor…"
"I don't know, but they haven't seen each other since the end of the Second Nightmare. I'm worried."
Sunny quickly shook his head, trying to ignore the gossip and focus on the important parts.
Most people were respectful and kept to their business, only seldom speaking of Song, generally with indifference or some respect, but Sunny could only hear the disgusting parts of the ball.
It was natural, a single insult was heard higher than a hundred claps.
Concentrating was hard, especially after he heard about a certain someone.
"So, did you hear about Mongrel?"
Sunny froze.
"Of course! He has to be one of Valor's retainers to be this skilled with a sword."
"Maybe he's the King's secret son?"
"Or maybe…"
Sunny ordered the Crazy shadow to get out of that conversation, and go far, far away…
'No way in hell I'm–'
Happy located the most famous Whispering Blade, gracefully talking to guests, a pleasant smile on his face as talked to multiple elite figures of humanity.
Especially focusing on…
"Seems like the House of Night is here as well… Talking with Madoc."
Seishan took a glance at her brother, and traced a finger to her shin.
"So they must be preparing for Antarctica as well."
Eunbin took a sip of her wine with one hand and leaned on the other one, an easy-going expression illuminating her face.
"I wonder who they'll send, I would love to see how much they will invest. Maybe Morgan will finally get her chance to face our dear brother."
Sunny raised an eyebrow at the statement.
"Morgan wants to duel me?"
"Hmhm! No idea why."
Sunny rolled his eyes, until something interesting came up.
Haughty had found a conversation between two very interesting people…
Saint Gilead, the Summer Knight, and Saint Jest, the secret executioner of Valor. Their conversation was being held in a corner, under their breaths, no one else hearing…
Summer Knight seemed serious, composed.
"Lord Jest, are you certain of this?"
"Yes, I am, and drop the 'Lord'! I know you don't respect me, Gilead!"
"If there is an assassin here, we should scramble the guards."
Sunny sharpened his eyes, so much so Seishan noticed.
"Is there something wrong, Sunny?"
He nodded.
"They know Motza is here."
That made the others react, sharpening their features as well, letting go of the drinks they were drinking.
Frostblade turned her head to talk to Sunless, letting go of the glass of wine and whispering just loud enough for him to hear.
"Does he need help?"
Sunny shook his head.
"Not yet, wait for a moment."
Looking back through Haughty to the two Saints of Valor, he continued listening to their conversation.
"If I'm right about who is infiltrating, all the guards in the world won't help, especially since he ascended. Let me and Sinclair deal with him, and don't warn the brats from Valerious! If those brats are anything like their father, they crush the whole damn building looking for him."
"Just for one person? Who exactly is the assassin Jest?"
"Who else? The brat I trained myself, the adopted son of Madoc and the ghost of the Hollow Death."
Summer Knight sharpened his gaze.
"Hm… How do you know?"
Jest chuckled.
"Because he's the only one who can infiltrate this place without me knowing. Consider ourselves lucky Gilead, lucky Sinclair saw a cloud of mist in the corner of his eye."
Sunny ordered Haughty to get away, he breathed in and began thinking.
After a few seconds, he turned to Frostblade.
"Jest is going after him, Motza must be in the dorm rooms by now, don't be hasty, keep it down low."
Frostblade got up without a shift in her expression.
"Do not forget who trained you."
The cold Saint walked away without any more words.
Sunny looked back at his sisters.
"If they know Motza is here, Summer Knight will keep an eye on us."
Eunbin nodded, grabbing her wine glass and sitting up.
"Then it is time to mingle, Sorrow, do what you do best and don't stand out."
The Saint of Sorrow, who hadn't said a word until now, finally got up and fixed his suit.
"As you wish, I will be in the corners."
Eunbin hummed, waving to her siblings, she strolled slowly towards the small crowd, planning to enthrall a few more enamored guests. Sorrow disappeared in the hall.
Sunny turned to Seishan.
"I wonder when they'll welcome us."
His sister chuckled.
"It may take a while…"
She stopped herself after seeing something behind Sunny, or rather, someone.
A smile creeped into her face, a sweet, comfortable one.
"Sunny, look behind you, but don't react."
Finding it weird, but not disobeying, Sunny took a glance behind him, and an old man was what he found.
A familiar old man, someone that was very important to his mother.
Master Orum, he stood still, holding a drink as he looked at them with a small, weak smile.
Sunny widened his eyes, surprised, but he smiled back, nodding subtly.
That seemed to be enough for the old man, he turned around and merged with the other guests, as if he was never there.
It was a shame, Sunny never got to really talk with him, even though he technically was always in contact, as Orum reported back to him.
After all, Master Orum was someone who Ki Song held in high regard, her greatest spy, and her most precious friend who helped her in her hour of need.
Sunny always heard about him, the story of his mother and Orum was one he heard countless times, and one he always liked to hear.
He turned to Seishan.
"A shame we can't talk…"
She seemed to share his disappointment.
"Too many eyes, not enough time… He needs to stay loyal to Valor on the surface, even a simple talk can arouse suspicion."
She lowered her gaze for a moment.
"But it is a shame."
Sunny hid his mouth as he leaned in on the table.
"True, I bet they'll investigate anyone that Bin looked at, imagine what they will do to the ones we speak to?"
He looked at her seriously.
"They'll look at their shadows."
She looked at him dead serious.
"They'll drain their blood."
They held their gazes at each other…
Until they chuckled.
"They'll probably do that…"
"And look foolish while doing it."
They waited for a few more minutes, Sunny looking around his shadows, finding some important people, Saints from Valor and some Government officials, even found the two children of Pillaris… Lycon's siblings.
They had glared at him once when they ended up close to the table, then never again. Sunless was grateful, he wouldn't have to deal with another headache.
Then, Naughty took another sweep through the hall, finding his friends in the middle of a crowd that started to form around them.
Kai, with his elegant attire, and Effie, with her strange dress in her amazonian form, were being surrounded by multiple of the noble guests, while Cassie was staying far away, sitting on a table.
Sunny smiled, and stood up.
"Come on, I found our cohort."
Seishan smile grew.
"Oh, don't worry, they'll eventually come to us, no need to hurry."
"... You know you and Kai started dating like, three days ago and almost nobody is aware of it, right? Currently every girl around him is–"
"On second thought, it would be best to go to them, make sure no harlot claws at my dearest naive heart."
Her words were full of poison, yet her face did not change as she rose from the table. Perfectly showing her graceful demeanor that hid malice.
Sunny sighed.
'Puts this entire regal look yet she still gets possessive like a normal girl… Well, he is her first boyfriend.'
—
Seishan quickly walked through the multiple people absentmindingly, not minding the glares she received, none of them disturbed her.
In fact, their disdain for her helped, they parted the way to her lover, letting her pass without issue, so it didn't take long for her to reach Kai, who was currently surrounded by girls clearly interested in him.
The charming man did not seem to notice how the interest went beyond simple friendship or association, trying to grab his arm. Seishan even recognized a few of them that were associated with Valor, even one of them hugging his arm and making sure her breasts were touching him, taking advantage of his gentle nature to get her way with him…
He was clearly uncomfortable, the harlot didn't seem to believe the few rumors about him joining Song, wanting Kai all for herself.
'If that's the case, I'll make it official.'
With confident steps, Seishan made her presence known, letting the dense archer finally turn around to look at her.
Kai's pleasant smile grew wider upon seeing the Princess of Song, raising his hand to wave at her.
He was wearing a normal tuxedo that somehow was able to make him even more attractive, his Ascension made his body even more perfect, his smile hypnotic and contagious…
Kai, the Nightingale.--
"Shan! You're here!"
Immediately, Seishan felt all eyes glaring at her, from the jealous girls, to the Valor's little dogs, all their masks of elegance easily falling.
It only made Seishan smile wider.
"Kai… I was waiting."
He let out a light laugh, scratching his head and taking a few steps to her, even leaving the girl that was hugging his arm. It was as if all of them vanished. His smile seemed much more genuine now…
"Sorry! I did look for you, but I ended up being recognized."
The girls were furious. He was looking for her, specifically for her.
Seishan just grew more and more amused. She took steps to stand right in front of him, even touching his cheek with her finger, making him blush.
"Just make sure to prioritize your new girlfriend before going around… Talking with nobodies."
Kai blushed a little more, smiling as if embarrassed.
"S-Sure! Of course!"
The reveal brought several reactions, mainly shock, the group of girls were astonished and mad. Anger obviously got over them as several turned around and left.
Seishan just enjoyed everything, especially Kai's reaction. With her satisfying victory, she ignored the crowd and focused on Kai.
"So, enjoying the party?"
"Well, yes! But I think I'm more glad to have found you."
Seishan smiled even more…
As the crowd around the famous ex-singer grew thinner with the presence of the Lost Princess of Song, Sunny approached Cassie, who was sipping a glass of water in the corner, sitting on a chair close to the big windows.
He leaned on the marble column close to her, grasping his own glass of wine, the window reflecting his image as if it was a mirror.
Looking to the side, he saw his giant friend Effie stuffing herself with an enormous amount of expensive food, not caring for the weird looks directed at her.
Sunny then looked back at Cassie.
"You don't seem to mind not being in the spotlight."
The blind seer moved her head, reacting to his presence, only to take another sip of her water.
Cassie choose for wear was simpler than the rest, no exaderated outfit, no jewels or jackets, just a simple, single piece, luxurious white dress, with a blindfold made from silver garments.
Cassie, Song of the Fallen.--
"It's either that or dying, and it does give me some alone time to practice, not having to deal with the public."
Sunny nodded.
"I'm impressed my mother let you go to Valor, I thought she held a strong grip on you."
Cassie chuckled a little.
"Lady Hel is quite insistent…"
Her humor vanished as soon as it came, the little smile vanishing.
"I need to be with Valor, otherwise…"
She didn't quite finish, and Sunny rather not press her.
He took another sip of his wine, looking through his shadows to see if he could catch something else.
Now he was mostly hearing murmurs about Kai and Seishan, the reveal sparked quite the 'outrage' per say. He even saw Eunbin laughing in a circle made by people who were slowly being enthralled by her.
Crazy made another sweep, and found another person reacting to the news about the new couple… Morgan of Valor.
It was the first time that Sunny really saw her, and her beauty did not disappoint. From the black cascading hair to the red scarlet eyes, her form was completed by a black dress with a deep neckline with shoulder straps. Long, detached black sleeves covering her arms.
Morgan of Valor…--
'Come to think of it, Lan did say he had a crush on her… I can see why…'
He rolled his eyes internally.
'Whatever, Nephis is a hundred times more beautiful.'
The important thing was that Morgan seemed to react to the news strangely, her smile that already seemed performative, widened, and she immediately said farewell to the people around her and began to walk around the hall, as if searching for something.
'Did Seishan and Kai interest her? What's the big deal?'
He would have to decide that another time, he let Crazy attach to her shadow, once she found what she was looking for, he would know.
Meanwhile, he encountered something interesting with Happy.
Some of the Vassal Clan heads were together, discussing something. Among them, he found Saint Tyris wearing a beautiful golden dress that had white fur around her neck, truly worthy of her status.
With her, there was the head of the Aegis Rose Clan and the Silver Vanguard Clan, both men seemed concerned, although they kept a stoic outlook.
"It concerns me that the Traitor was able to go past even your stern watch."
Tyris simply nodded at the Aegis Rose Head's comment. The man sighed, then glanced at his companion.
"If they indeed have become this powerful, then it stands to reason our presence in Antarctica."
Silver Vanguard seemed to agree.
"It will be the ideal chance to cripple Song, a battlefield where She doesn't have her eternal sight on them."
Sunny sharpened his eyes.
'They are sending them to Antarctica?'
That was concerning, especially since they are planning something against Song, something that is only possible outside of Ki Song's control…
Sunny widened his eyes.
'No… I won't let you!'
A calm voice invaded his right ear.
"I wouldn't get angry now."
Sunny turned to see his own reflection in the window, head turned sideways, smiling at him.
"I know she doesn't like to see you angry.
The reflection turned towards the end of the grand hall, where the giant stars resided.
A tall man with a thick beard and blue steel eyes stood in the middle, wearing a luxurious uniform with red details and a symbol on the cloth, a sword piercing an anvil.
Madoc turned to the crowd with a smile.
"Greetings, my friends and colleagues!"
All guests turned to him, lifting their gazes. Whispering Blade's voice seemed to calm the whispers around the hall as he spoke with confidence. Even the music ceased to welcome the face of Clan Valor.
"Today, in this grand evening, we celebrate a great event! Today, we welcome a new member to the Valor family, the daughter of an old friend, a good friend. With her, we shall begin a new age of humanity…"
The doors on the upper level opened, and a figure dressed in pure white began walking.
Madoc's speech suddenly became noise as Sunny widened his eyes in pure astonishment.
The woman descended the grand marble staircase slowly, so gracefully it was as if she was floating though.
She was ethereal, beautiful, as if carved from ivory. Cascades of silvery white hair tumbled past her shoulders, pinned gently with delicate pearl-studded hair ornaments that looked like silver swords, shimmering beneath the soft flicker of candlelit chandeliers. Her gaze, cool and enigmatic, held the timeless poise of nobility, framing a porcelain complexion accentuated by deep, thoughtful eyes and a soft touch of crimson lipstick on her lips.
Her attire was nothing short of a masterpiece: an ornate, pearl-beaded gown of sheer white lace and draped silk that clung gracefully to her silhouette. Intricate lattice lace encrusted with delicate jeweled strands wrapped across her bodice and high collar, catching the dim golden light of the surrounding palace hall. Gossamer sleeves trailed down to her fingertips like draped frost, sweeping the marble steps in silent, majestic rhythm as she moved through the vast, shadowed hall.
Madoc finished his speech as she arrived on his steps.
"I welcome to Clan Valor…"
The Changing Star of the Immortal Flame. --
Nephis had arrived, and her gaze inevitably fell on Sunless.
It was time for the real Ball to start.